110 Historic Sites Get Spring Clean-Up from Volunteers

Volunteers across America are proving that caring for the past can be a community celebration.

This Saturday, April 25, thousands of people will gather at historic battlefields, museums, and landmarks for the American Battlefield Trust's 30th annual Park Day. The nationwide spring cleanup prepares more than 110 sites in 28 states for the busy tourism season while bringing neighbors together for a common cause.

The timing couldn't be more fitting. Park Day falls during Earth Week, National Volunteer Week, and America Gives, a nationwide celebration of community service. It also comes as the nation gears up for the Semiquincentennial in 2026, marking 250 years since America's founding.

Virginia leads the way with activities at 20 historic sites. Volunteers will paint picket fences at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, where the Civil War ended. At Manassas National Battlefield Park, teams will remove invasive plants and add new saplings to restore the historic landscape.

The work goes far beyond picking up litter. At Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park in Leesburg, volunteers will maintain trails and clean monuments before enjoying guided battlefield tours. Teams at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park will clear algae from historic stones and walls, preserving these landmarks for future generations.

Many sites are offering special perks to thank their helpers. Kernstown Battlefield provides tours between noon and 4 p.m. Historic Sandusky in Lynchburg offers free tours of the historic house to all participants. At Brandy Station Battlefield, volunteers can explore the famous Graffiti House after working on walkways and flower beds.

The Ripple Effect: These cleanups do more than beautify historic sites. They strengthen local economies by making landmarks more appealing to tourists. They create opportunities for people to learn about their community's history while working alongside neighbors. And they teach younger volunteers about stewardship and service.

The 30-year tradition shows that Americans still value the places where their history unfolded. By spending a Saturday morning raking leaves, painting fences, or planting trees, volunteers ensure these stories remain accessible to everyone who wants to learn from them.

From Abingdon to Williamsburg, Virginians are showing that preserving the past is work worth doing together.